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Tzfunot

Rabbi Binyomin Bittonpodcasters.spotify.com
Making in-depth Torah study accessible, engaging, relevant and geshmak to all! Talmud, Rogatchover, Lubavitcher Rebbe. English • Hebrew • French Comments, feedback, sponsorship: info@tzfunot.com
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Episodes

Yerusha: Karov or Etzem?

The Rebbe and the Rogatchover on the concept of ‘yerusha’, whether it is based on family relationships or an essential connection, and its ramifications in several sugyos about yerusha.

Aug 24, 202557 minSeason 83Ep. 1

Should laid-off employees be given a severance pay? | Episode 4

The Rebbe, the Minchas Chinuch and the Mishneh L’Melech on the definition of the mitzvah of ‘ha’anakah’ given to the freed slave, and the ramification thereof on whether it can be applied to employees being laid-off from their employment nowadays or not.

Aug 17, 202512 minSeason 34Ep. 4

Should laid-off employees be given a severance pay? | Episode 3

The Rebbe, the Minchas Chinuch and the Mishneh L’Melech on the definition of the mitzvah of ‘ha’anakah’ given to the freed slave, and the ramification thereof on whether it can be applied to employees being laid-off from their employment nowadays or not.

Aug 17, 202513 minSeason 34Ep. 3

Should laid-off employees be given a severance pay? | Episode 2

The Rebbe, the Minchas Chinuch and the Mishneh L’Melech on the definition of the mitzvah of ‘ha’anakah’ given to the freed slave, and the ramification thereof on whether it can be applied to employees being laid-off from their employment nowadays or not.

Aug 17, 202536 minSeason 34Ep. 2

Should laid-off employees be given a severance pay? | Episode 1

The Rebbe, the Minchas Chinuch and the Mishneh L’Melech on the definition of the mitzvah of ‘ha’anakah’ given to the freed slave, and the ramification thereof on whether it can be applied to employees being laid-off from their employment nowadays or not.

Aug 17, 202526 minSeason 34Ep. 1

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak: Abaye and Rava (English)

In this episode we will present Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's novel kabbalistic explanation on the leshitasei of Abaye and Rava in the talmudic arguments known as 'Yaal Kegam', and suggest a possible explanation how to apply the Kabbalisitc concept in Halachic terms. Presented in honour of the 20th of Menachem Av, the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe's father.

Aug 10, 202544 minSeason 80Ep. 1

Tefila on Gzar Din: Before and After

Deciphering the Rebbe’s footnotes on the opinions regarding canceling a decree through Tefila, before and after the gzar din, for an individual or for a community, and its ramifications regarding Moshe’s Tefila to enter Eretz Yisrael.

Aug 03, 20251 hr 28 minSeason 79Ep. 1

Hadran Masechet Avodah Zarah | Episode 5: Exploring the Details of the Story

This series will explore the Rebbe’s novel approach to the Talmud story recorded at the end of Tractate Avodah Zarah about Shvor Malka, Rav Yehuda, Bati and the Etrog, based on the Hadran published in Likkutei Sichot, vol. 19, Devarim 5. In this episode we will explore how every ‘minor’ detail of the story can be explained according to the Rebbe’s chiddush.

Jul 27, 202530 minSeason 30Ep. 5

Hadran Masechet Avodah Zarah | Episode 4: Analyzing a Reference to the Ritva

This series will explore the Rebbe’s novel approach to the Talmud story recorded at the end of Tractate Avodah Zarah about Shvor Malka, Rav Yehuda, Bati and the Etrog, based on the Hadran published in Likkutei Sichot, vol. 19, Devarim 5. This episode will analyze a reference the Rebbe makes to the Ritva in tracates Avodah Zarah and Niddah, and will suggest a possible diyuk in the Sicha.

Jul 27, 202517 minSeason 30Ep. 4

Hadran Masechet Avodah Zarah | Episode 3: Shvor Malka, Rav Yehuda, Bati and the Esrog

This series will explore the Rebbe’s novel approach to the Talmud story recorded at the end of Tractate Avodah Zarah about Shvor Malka, Rav Yehuda, Bati and the Etrog, based on the Hadran published in Likkutei Sichot, vol. 19, Devarim 5. This episode will present a summary of the Rebbe’s questions and answers on the Talmud story recorded at the end of Tractate Avodah Zarah.

Jul 27, 202538 minSeason 30Ep. 3

Hadran Masechet Avodah Zarah | Episode 2: What was the issue with Shvor Malka’s knife?

This series will explore the Rebbe’s novel approach to the Talmud story recorded at the end of Tractate Avodah Zarah about Shvor Malka, Rav Yehuda, Bati and the Etrog, based on the Hadran published in Likkutei Sichot, vol. 19, Devarim 5. This episode will present a comprehensive overview of the opinions in the poskim with regards to kashering a knife. Based on footnotes 13-14, this episode serves as a fundamental introduction to the hadran.

Jul 27, 202552 minSeason 30Ep. 2

Hadran Masechet Avodah Zarah | Episode 1: The Rogatchover on the mechanism of Rabbinical enactments

This series will explore the Rebbe’s novel approach to the Talmud story recorded at the end of Tractate Avodah Zarah about Shvor Malka, Rav Yehuda, Bati and the Etrog, based on the Hadran published in Likkutei Sichot, vol. 19, Devarim 5. In this episode we will decipher the Rogatchover's approach on the mechanism of Rabbinical enactments, and how the Rebbe applies this concept further on the machloket in the poskim with regards to bishul akum.

Jul 27, 202525 minSeason 30Ep. 1

Midian: Nekama or Conquering?

Is the war against Midian for the purpose of nekama, conquering Midian, or a combination of the two? The Rebbe and the Rogatchover on the definition of the Midian war, and its ramifications with regards to the war strategy, the participation of the tribe of Levi, and the distribution of the spoils of war.

Jul 20, 20251 hr 10 minSeason 77Ep. 1

Nassi vs. Melech: Moshe, Yehoshua and Moshiach

The Rebbe and the Rogatchover on the definition of Nesiut and Malchut with regards to Moshe, Yehoshua and Moshiach, and its ramification on whether they require to be anointed, as any other king, or not.

Jul 13, 20251 hr 16 minSeason 76Ep. 1

Nations of the World: A Metziut Toranit?

The Rebbe and the Rogatchover on the status of the nations of the world in Halacha and Chassidut, and its ramifications in their purpose of creation, the status of their shechita, are they under “hashgacha pratit”, and their status in the era of Moshiach.

Jul 06, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 75Ep. 1

Every Jew is a Sefer Torah: Part 2

When the Talmud compares a Jew to a Sefer Torah — is it referring to the body, the neshama, or perhaps to the Torah that he studied? Deciphering the Rebbe’s wording and footnote on the difference between the two sugyot in tractates Moed Katan and Ketubot, and revealing the precision behind each reference.

Jun 29, 20251 hr 33 minSeason 74Ep. 2

Every Jew is a Sefer Torah: Part 1

When the Talmud compares a Jew to a Sefer Torah — is it referring to the body, the neshama, or perhaps to the Torah that he studied? Deciphering the Rebbe’s wording and footnote on the difference between the two sugyot in tractates Moed Katan and Ketubot, and revealing the precision behind each reference.

Jun 29, 202551 minSeason 74Ep. 1

The Rogatchover vs. Plato: ‘Animal plus’ or ‘Mentsh’?

The Rebbe and the Rogatchover on the concept of the ‘added quality’, whether it ‘sits on top’ of the original reality, or transforms it into a brand new entity, and its ramifications in Halacha, Jewish philosophy and Chassidut.

Jun 22, 202550 minSeason 51Ep. 1

Tzitzit: Hidden or Revealed?

Is looking at the tzitzit during the mitzvah, a part of the mitzvah itself, or an additional element, separate from the actual mitzvah of tzitzit? And what is the meaning of the word ‘tzitzit’? Analyzing the Rebbe’s chakirah on the definition of the mitzvah of tzitzit, and its ramifications with regards to the different customs on how to wear the Talit Katan — with the tzitzit hidden or revealed.

Jun 15, 202548 min

Nevuah Qualifications: Shabbat vs. Nedarim

What lies behind the differences in the maamar chazal about the qualifications for a Navi as quoted in masechet Shabbat vs. masechet Nedarim? Analyzing the Rebbe’s novel explanation, and suggesting a few possible diyukim based on a fascinating exchange between the Rebbe and his father Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.

Jun 08, 202549 minSeason 72Ep. 1

Osek B’Mitzvah: Anoos, Patur, or as if he did it?

The Rebbe, the Rogatchover and R’ Elchonon Wasserman on the principle of ‘Osek B’Mitzvah’ — is it considered an ‘anoos’ (circumstance beyond control), an exemption, or as if he fulfilled the other mitzvah; its ramifications in Halacha and the arbitrament of the chakirah according to Chassidut.

Jun 01, 202535 minSeason 71Ep. 1

Rashi’s Methodology | Ep. 46: The Kabbalah of Dreams

What is unique about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah? What is the meaning of 'Peshuto shel Mikrah' ? What is the Rebbe’s novel method in studying Rashi? A new course exploring the novel approach to Rashi’s methodology on the Torah, as introduced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This course will analyze the ‘Klalei Rashi’ (principles and methods of Rashi study), and will guide students on how to apply them further to explanations of Rashi on the Torah.

May 25, 202519 minSeason 56Ep. 46

Rashi’s Methodology | Ep. 45: Not Speaking Lashon Hara on Eisav

What is unique about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah? What is the meaning of 'Peshuto shel Mikrah' ? What is the Rebbe’s novel method in studying Rashi? A new course exploring the novel approach to Rashi’s methodology on the Torah, as introduced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This course will analyze the ‘Klalei Rashi’ (principles and methods of Rashi study), and will guide students on how to apply them further to explanations of Rashi on the Torah.

May 22, 20258 minSeason 56Ep. 45

Rashi’s Methodology | Ep. 44: Tzohar for the Teivah

What is unique about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah? What is the meaning of 'Peshuto shel Mikrah' ? What is the Rebbe’s novel method in studying Rashi? A new course exploring the novel approach to Rashi’s methodology on the Torah, as introduced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This course will analyze the ‘Klalei Rashi’ (principles and methods of Rashi study), and will guide students on how to apply them further to explanations of Rashi on the Torah.

May 20, 202524 minSeason 56Ep. 44

Rashi’s Methodology | Ep. 43: Wine of Torah

What is unique about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah? What is the meaning of 'Peshuto shel Mikrah' ? What is the Rebbe’s novel method in studying Rashi? A new course exploring the novel approach to Rashi’s methodology on the Torah, as introduced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This course will analyze the ‘Klalei Rashi’ (principles and methods of Rashi study), and will guide students on how to apply them further to explanations of Rashi on the Torah.

May 18, 202514 minSeason 56Ep. 43

Charamim: A Cryptic Rambam

Shiur 2 The Rebbe, the Rogatchover, the Minchat Chinuch and the Lechem Mishneh on the concepts of Sadeh Achuza, Hekdeshot and Charamim, leading to four opinions on how to decipher a cryptic Rambam. לקוטי שיחות, כרך כב, בחוקותי, הדרן על מסכת ערכין

May 18, 20251 hr 48 minSeason 69Ep. 2

Sadeh Achuza, Hekdeshot and Charamim

Shiur 1 A fundamental introduction to the Hadran on Masechet Erchin This shiur will present a comprehensive overview of the concepts of Sadeh Achuza, Arei Haleviim, Hekdeshot, Chermei Gavoah and Chermei Kohanim, and will summarize the opinions of the acharonim in the sugya. לקוטי שיחות, כרך כב, בחוקותי, הדרן על מסכת ערכין

May 18, 20251 hr 46 minSeason 69Ep. 1

Rashi’s Methodology | Ep. 42: Poultry and Dairy

What is unique about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah? What is the meaning of 'Peshuto shel Mikrah' ? What is the Rebbe’s novel method in studying Rashi? A new course exploring the novel approach to Rashi’s methodology on the Torah, as introduced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This course will analyze the ‘Klalei Rashi’ (principles and methods of Rashi study), and will guide students on how to apply them further to explanations of Rashi on the Torah.

May 15, 202518 minSeason 56Ep. 42

Rashi’s Methodology | Ep. 41: The Definition of Reading the Shema

What is unique about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah? What is the meaning of 'Peshuto shel Mikrah' ? What is the Rebbe’s novel method in studying Rashi? A new course exploring the novel approach to Rashi’s methodology on the Torah, as introduced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. This course will analyze the ‘Klalei Rashi’ (principles and methods of Rashi study), and will guide students on how to apply them further to explanations of Rashi on the Torah.

May 15, 202541 minSeason 56Ep. 41
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